Their mission is to convert a railroad bed into a 34-mile, paved recreation trail for the enjoyment of bicyclists, bird-watchers, campers and more.

Three upcoming open houses next week will give residents an opportunity to find out more about the Iowa River Trail, and specifically what kind of signage, art and more is planned.

RDG Planning & Design, with offices in Des Moines, Dubuque and Iowa City, will show the latest concepts in branding, signage, trailheads, bridges and art for the IRT at three open house events.

The first is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14 at the Steamboat Rock Boat Club, 299 Seventh St.

T-R FILE PHOTO
Supporters of the Iowa River Trail and members of Iowa Valley Bicycle Club pitched-in last year to clean portions of the Iowa River Trail in Marshalltown.

The second is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Eldora Public Library, 1202 Tenth St.

The third is 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Marshalltown Public Library, 105 W Boone St.

“Join us for a short presentation, visual listening exercise and opportunity for public input,” RDG spokesperson Molly Hanson said. “No RSVP necessary.”

The meetings are free-of-charge and open to the public.

When completed, the 34-mile IRT will connect several communities from Marshalltown to Liscomb to Steamboat Rock.

Included is Albion, Union, Gifford and Eldora.

Marshall County work has been managed by TRAILS, Inc.

Local supporters have jumped many hurdles in their quest to develop the trail for recreational purposes.

The railroad right-of-way from the defunct Iowa River Railroad was secured.

TRAILS, Inc. volunteers sought out, and were successful in securing public grants and private contributions to begin constructing the trail surface and re-fitting bridges for safe use by cyclists, hikers and more.

In Marshalltown, the paved portion begins at the Anne Keyser Trailhead behind Stucky’s Vacuum Cleaner Store, 210 W. Madison St., to Radio Tower Road west of city limits.

The group will maintain the Marshall County portion of the trail when completed.

Similarly, an all-volunteer group in Hardin County is responsible for building and maintaining the trail in that county.

They are raising money for the trail from the Hardin County line to Steamboat Rock.

For more information about the open houses, contact Hanson at 515-309-3205. For more information about IRT, visit Facebook.com/TrailsInc or Trailsinc.net